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Covering an NHRA event

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Hustle, Aug 29, 2006.

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  1. Hustle

    Hustle Guest

    Going to Richmond in October, mostly for a feature on a pro stock team whose driver (and his family, i.e., the crew) all live in our coverage area.

    Anything I should know beforehand from those that have done this sort of thing?
     
    Hustle, Aug 29, 2006
    #1
  2. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    I'll talk to you later about this one, Huss.
    Drag racing is great. And if your guy is who I'm thinking your guy is, he's always been VERY easy to deal with in good times and bad.
     
    Moderator1, Aug 29, 2006
    #2
  3. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    And you ain't going to Richmond. Track is well south of Richmond.
    I love that about the NHRA. The stop in Atlanta is about an hour north. Houston is a good way away from the city.
    Bristol is, well, in Bristol.
     
    Moderator1, Aug 29, 2006
    #3
  4. oldfart

    oldfart Member

    Hustle

    I've covered drag racing for a lot of years (along with all other motor sports). Are you looking for helpful hints in general or something more specific? PM me and I'll try to be of some help
     
    oldfart, Aug 29, 2006
    #4
  5. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    Have fun Hustle. I love drag racing. First non-prep event I ever covered (many moons ago), and the access was great. John Force invited me into his truck for a story on one of his rivals; I can't imagine a top NASCAR driver doing that with a 23-year-old nobody.

    I think drag racing is like hockey in that TV can't do it justice and that if fans would go in person, they'd be completely hooked. Great sport.
     
    playthrough, Aug 29, 2006
    #5
  6. Clerk Typist

    Clerk Typist Guest

    Very good people in this sport. NHRA staff is very helpful no matter who is on site, and even better, the major teams have their own PR people who are delighted to see mainstream press on hand. And the drivers are almost always quotable, with Force peerless in that regard. Gary Scelzi is a gem as well.
    But bring earplugs if you're caught in the pit area (open to the public) and someone fires up a nitro car to test the engine. Deafening.
     
    Clerk Typist, Aug 30, 2006
    #6
  7. Keystone

    Keystone Member

    I know who you want to talk to, and he's one of the better interviews in the NHRA. His PR guy is very good, too, so PM me if you need contact numbers.

    If you've been covering only NASCAR events, then the access you get with the NHRA will make your head spin. Where else will the top driver invite you into his hauler, crack open a beer and grill you a hamburger before the interview.

    If you've seen Force's reality show, he's really like that in person.

    But in order to be truely initiated, you need to inhale some nitro fumes while they're testing engines in the pits. Closest thing to it is tear gas. 8)
     
    Keystone, Aug 30, 2006
    #7
  8. PalmettoStatesport

    PalmettoStatesport Member

    You'll have a great time, and yes, the access that the driver's and teams give is completely amazing. A good friend of my wife's family races on the NHRA circuit and I'm completely blown away each time we go to Southern Nationals with how first class everything is.
     
    PalmettoStatesport, Aug 30, 2006
    #8
  9. Claws for Concern

    Claws for Concern Active Member

    Oops, sorry, I thought this was an NRA thread. Shoot me.
     
    Claws for Concern, Aug 30, 2006
    #9
  10. Matamoros Blues

    Matamoros Blues Guest

    I agree with what you are hearing here. Been a while since I've been around the NHRA, and it was always for business matters, but they were always very good to deal with. Much more open and easier to work with than other motorsports.
     
    Matamoros Blues, Aug 30, 2006
    #10
  11. Bill Horton

    Bill Horton Active Member

    One of the problems with covering drag racing is working on ...
    SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY !!!
     
    Bill Horton, Aug 31, 2006
    #11
  12. joe

    joe Active Member

    Jeff Gluck says Hillary Will is hot.
     
    joe, Aug 31, 2006
    #12
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